After Project's Rejection, Future Of Site In Question

MIRAMAR — Now that an adults-only community has been rejected by Broward County commissioners, the property owner isn't sure what will be developed on the land.

County commissioners last month rejected a plan for the 262-home subdivision at Pembroke Road and Southwest 172nd Avenue in western Miramar. The new community would have banned children under age 19, to ease opposition that new developments strain crowded schools.

"We have to decide what to do with the property," said Dennis Mele, a Fort Lauderdale lawyer representing landowner Leon Sragowicz, of Bal Harbour. "We may just try to build fewer homes."

Sragowicz and his Parati Corp. had proposed age restrictions to avoid school crowding but had asked that twice as many homes be built on the 131-acre parcel than the original 131 planned. The Broward Planning Council, an advisory board to county commissioners, had approved such a land-use change.

But county commissioners balked, citing environmental and other development concerns.

Commissioner Lori Parrish said land set aside for environmental regulations, roads and drainage would leave only about 40 acres to build the homes on.

"It's too much density. It's ridiculous," Parrish said.

Adults-only communities were more common years ago when more retirees flocked to South Florida. Some luxury ones are flourishing today in Boynton Beach.

But Miramar city officials said they preferred developments without age restrictions.

"We're a family community," Vice Mayor Marjorie Conlan said.

Mele said he is not sure whether any future plan would call for an adults-only project.

"We're going to have to meet and discuss it," he said.

Damon Adams can be reached at Dadams@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7912.